Yes, Virginia…Figs, Friends and BBQ Do Go Together - Just Like Hospitality and Sweet Tea.

Fresh fig, heirloom tomato and blue cheese salad.

Friends invited us for lunch the other day.  The destination was #owensselfserve and like many great Virginia eateries, we had to walk around a gas pump to get to the front door.  (It’s a Virginia thing.  You'll find some of the best food around in a gas station.  Just ask a local.)

We ordered at the counter, “fixed” our own sweet tea.  The ice was the really good ice and the cups were styrofoam.  This is a southern beverage trifecta.

Everyone in the place knew each other.  Introductions were made and we talked about the weather and our grandkids while we waited for the best BBQ sandwich and fries that I can remember having, ever.   

You know this sandwich: the BBQ beef is tender, served on a super fresh, soft potato bun and wrapped in wax paper so that it steams just enough to be damp when you open it.  On the side - the hottest, crispiest french fries ever!

A wonderful husband and wife run the place.  They’re open most days.

You must be wondering…what about the figs?  Our friends gifted a huge basket of fresh figs from their farm.  She likes them; he doesn’t.  They introduced us to the tree and like most gardeners, invited us to come back for more any time.   The figs obviously made their way into our salad for dinner and they were heavenly. Greens, blue cheese, heirloom tomatoes and Cross figs.  The perfect ending to a great day.

Yes, Virginia… figs, friends and bbq do go together, just like hospitality and sweet tea.

We will be paying it forward soon. Owens Self Serve is on our radar and we’ll take a friend…